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What was Robert Mapplethorpe known for?
1 Answer
Robert Mapplethorpe was known for his dramatic black and white photography. The American photographer's nude portraits, self-portraits and scenes from New York City's S&M clubs are particularly famous. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of Robert Mapplethorpe photographic art.
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
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Shop for Robert Mapplethorpe Art on 1stDibs
William S. Burroughs (Stamped) (~30% OFF LIST PRICE, LIMITED TIME)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Robert Mapplethorpe
William S. Burroughs
Photograph, Silver Gelatin Print
Year: 1982
Size: 9.8 × 7.8 inches
Stamped verso
Accompanied by Radar, Basel, Edition C.L.A.G., 1982; Text i...
Category
1980s American Modern Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Lilies
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Seoul, SO
Robert Mapplethorpe
Lilies, 1984
Estate stamped
signed
(50.8 × 40.6 cm) sheet size
Category
1990s Still-life Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
William S Burroughs, by Robert Mapplethorpe
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in London, GB
Gelatin silver print
9 3/4 x 7 7/8 in
24.9 x 20.1 cm
Printed by Radar Publikationen and Edition K.L.A.G. credit stamps verso. Photographers credit stamp verso.
Category
20th Century Conceptual Black and White Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper
Moet Blade
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe (1946 - 1989) helped elevate photography to be considered fine art in the 1970s thanks to his uncompromising images rich in contrast, from beautiful to brutal and elegant to uninhibited.
Mapplethorpe’s career was as glittering as it was controversial. Feted and vilified in equal measure, he ran a successful commercial studio (for portraiture and fashion photography) while simultaneously producing some of the most contentious (and beautiful!) images of the 20th century.
His depictions of gay sexuality (including S&M and bondage) provoked a fierce backlash both at the time of their creation and well into the 1990s and beyond.
This unique polaroid dates from when Mapplethorpe began to focus on pure photography, abandoning the collages of the first chapter of his career. It is also a foreshadowing of his curiosity and pursuit of New York's S&M scene.
This unique polaroid features an opened bottle of Moët-Chandon with a sharp blade emerging from the neck. Typical of Mapplethorpe, there is his signature balance of formalist qualities, foreboding references, with a touch of sexuality and violence.
Mapplethorpe's style is instantly recognizable: simple forms set against neutral backgrounds, a razor-sharp focus, and opulent, tonal gradations ranging from inky, velvety black to luminous silver-white.
Although this is a unique polaroid, its sibling is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. We believe that our example is superior to the two; the label is mostly concealed which intensifies the shapes and composition.
Robert Mapplethorpe mounted over fifty solo exhibitions during his lifetime, including numerous museum shows in the USA, Europe, and Japan. Since his death, his work has continued to be exhibited and acquired by major international art institutions.
Questions about this artwork? Contact us.
"Untitled" (Moet Blade)
USA, 1972
Unique polaroid.
Annotated 'PD 708' in pencil in an unknown hand on the verso.
Original stamp from Mertens Framers.
4.5”H 3.4”W (image)
15"H 8"W (framed)
Very good condition. Detailed condition report by request
Provenance: Xavier Hufkens...
Category
1970s American Modern Black and White Photography
Materials
Polaroid
Patti Smith Horses vinyl 1st Pressing (Robert Mapplethorpe Patti Smith)
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Patti Smith Horses Vinyl Record Album, 1975: US 1st Pressing featuring original photography by Robert Mapplethorpe.
Produced by John Cale.
Cover: Very Good to overall vintage condit...
Category
1970s Pop Art Mixed Media
Materials
Offset
Gardenia
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Mapplethorpe earned his place in the canon from his incredible output of images that ranged from beautiful to brutal. Mapplethorpe was one of the key artists who helped elevate photography from image-making to fine art.
Mapplethorpe (1946-1989) fearlessly depicted the body (his own, friends' and lovers') in a way that positioned his work in line with masters such as Reubens, Courbet and Eadweard Muybridge to mention a few.
Despite the sometimes shocking content of his work, Mapplethorpe's photographs possess a formalist quality with their undeniable beauty and strict compositions.
From 1978-1981, Mapplethorpe created thirty-nine black and white photographs that make up his acclaimed XYZ Portfolios. While each portfolio is a distinct exploration of Mapplethorpe's signature subject matter, when combined, XYZ Portfolios serves as a definitive and in-depth representation of his mature and most sought-after, period.
(Of the portfolios, X explores homosexuality and sadomasochism; Y features floral still life; while Z showcases portraits of Black men) Click here to see a portrait from the Z portfolio.
In 2012, the XYZ Portfolios were shown in an exhibition at LACMA and presented in three rows (X on top, followed by Y in the middle, and Z below) as Mapplethorpe had envisioned them in 1989.
"Gardenia" is one of thirteen images from the Y Portfolio, featuring a fragrant and graphic flower. Shot overhead, this tranquil image captures a delicate flower subtly floating in a dark, contrasting bowl. Aside from the flower's shadow below, the still water is nearly inconspicuous, contributing to the air of grace and elegance that this piece evokes. While the depiction is straightforward, Mapplethorpe's contrasts lead to a more ambiguous image; is this actually a flower or some alien specimen being examined?
This powerful black and white image is a prime example of Mapplethorpe's work, highlighting his studio-centric practice as well as his refined and meticulous printing.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic work by one of the most influential photographers of the 20th Century. Caviar20 is proud to be offering this monumental and important piece.
"Gardenia"
USA, 1978
Gelatin silver print
Signed in ink by Michael Ward Stout and credited and dated on photographer's estate stamp, mount verso.
13.25"H 12.75"W (image)
16.75"H 16"W (framed)
Very good condition
Provenance: Xavier Hufkens...
Category
1970s American Modern Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin